What is an image swap?

The principle is the same as a card swap, but instead of having to make an entire card or other project, you exchange only the plain stamped image. The image may be plain ink on paper or embossed, but must not be colored (the ink my be colored, but you can't color the image, i.e. with marker, chalks, pencil, etc.). The intent is for other swappers to make their own projects from the images you send. You will either swap individual images or entire sheets of an image or images depending on the type of swap and the hostess.

What are Trading Cards, and how do they relate to stamping?

I'm sure you all have seen baseball trading cards? In stamping, a trading card is the same size as a baseball card, only the front is much more pretty! When you stamp a trading card, you are basically stamping a card in miniature. I don't know of a source that pre-cuts blank cardstock to trading card size, so you do need to cut your own. The dimensions for cutting are 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". You can get 10 trading cards out of an 8.5" x 11 sheet of paper depending on which way you cut it. Take your sheet of cardstock, and cut 2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 11" and one strip 3 1/2" x 11". Next, take the 2 1/2" x 11" strip and cut them at 3 1/2" and take the 3 1/2" paper strip and cut it at 2 1/2". When completed, you should have ten 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" trading cards. The base layer of your trading card should be cardstock or other heavy paper for a sturdy and easy-to-handle base.

Can I stamp my own Business Card?
Of course you can!
Trading business cards is also fun. Most office supply stores carry pre-cut cards.
Most business cards are 2" x 3 1/2" if you would like to cut your own.

Tips for a GREAT SWAP! - remember, these are just ideas!

First of all, the number one tip in my book is that if you sign up for a swap, realize
that you are committed to doing the swap, so please follow through and do it. I know
that sometimes there becomes circumstances where you can't fulfill your obligation,
and these things happen. But remember that it is also common curteousy to let the
host/hostess know that you will not be able to fulfill your end of the swap as soon as
you know that you cannot finish, this way the host/hostess can make other arrangements.
Also, think about the swap, and decide if you can do it or not BEFORE you commit
yourself! Some people email the host/hostess and tell them that they are interested,
but not sure if they can do it. This way the hostess will know that you are a possibility,
and you are not 100% committed to joining! Remember, if you do this, and decide to
join the swap, you must email the host/hostess to let them know. Likewise, if you
decide not to join, it would also be nice to let them know that you won't be joining.

Second, when joining a swap, please know that no one expects prize-winning work.
For the most part, we are all new here, and there are no experts. However, we would
like you to please do your best work (don't just slap something together)! For some
ideas, you can look at stamping magazines and websites, or you can go all out on your
own and create your own masterpiece! Then when you are finished, take a look at your
card and think "would I want to get this from someone?" Even if you answer no,
remember that you are your own worst judge and your own worst enemy!! :)

A good practice is to first make one sample card, then evaluate it to make sure it
looks good before you make the rest of your cards. I always make a sample card first,
look at it and decide if that is really what I want. If I think I've got a "keeper", I
then make the remaining cards for my swap in an assembly-line fashion (I find it is
faster that way!) You know, where you take and stamp your image on every card first,
then color it, then add glitter, radiant pearls or whatever instead on trying to
finish one card, then another, ....

These are some things to think about (but do not have to be done this way by
any means!)when making a card in general:

Color: Do the colors you plan to use coordinate well? They all don't have to match,
but you don't want clashing colors either! Using too many colors may not look too good.
Just because you have all 144 Tombow markers doesn't mean you have to use them all!
Also think about HOW you will color your image. Colored pencils, markers, chalks,
Radiant Pearls are common coloring techniques.

Style: To me, this is more advanced, and you have to have all of the equiptment to do
it, but ask yourself - Do all of the items on my card look good when combined? For
example, does the style of your main stamp match the style of hole-punches, decorative
scissors, and other stamps used in the card? This is definitely not required, but does
make a card look a lot better doing it this way. You wouldn't want to recieve a
Valentines card with snowflake punchies would you?

Embellishing: Is your card too plain? Could it use some layers of colored paper
for accent? Or mulberry or corrugated paper for texture? Would a pretty matching
ribbon accentuate or detract from the style you are going for? Some ideas for
embellishments include buttons, raffia, ribbon, beads, sealing wax, charms, Radiant
Pearls or Pearl-Ex for shimmer, decorative papers, etc. On the other hand, does your
card look too busy because you've used too many embellishments?

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